Paddle and Pick series includes concerts at Buckley's

A love of nature and a love of music are being combined this summer in a special program offered by Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes.

The Paddle and Pick Series begins tonight, with two more events planned for later in the summer. Each one involves a chance to kayak or canoe the Chippewa River, followed by an outdoor concert with live music.

Tonight’s event will feature music by The True Falsettos of Traverse City.

“My husband and I are big fans of music and local music, and we’re obviously big fans of paddling on the river, and we thought we’d bring those passions together” said Liz Busch, co-owner of Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes on Remus Road (M-20), west of Mt. Pleasant.

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Busch said interest in the Paddle and Pick series picked up earlier this week, as she heard from several people who plan to attend. It is not too late if you want to go tonight, but they do ask that you call ahead to reserve a canoe or kayak.

“We’re hoping to take people up the river at 4, 5 or 6, so they can get back in time for the music. The 6 p.m. is going to be cutting it close, that is for people who probably want to paddle a little faster, but it will be perfect timing.”

You can do both – canoing and the concert – or just come for the music.

Participants can enjoy a two- to three-hour School Road river paddle for $20 a kayak or $36 a canoe. Trips leave at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., before the 8 p.m. concert.

Tonight, half of the rental fees will go to the Jeremy Caldwell Memorial Scholarship Fund to send youths to Camp Mystic Lake. Suggestion donation is $5 and there also will be raffles and hot dogs to help raise funds.

Music is expected to last an hour and half to two hours. Those who attend should bring a lawn chair.

The True Falsettos describe themselves at Vintage Swing.

The duo consists of Joe Wilson (steel guitar, guitar, and vocals) and Kevin Gills (bass and vocals). According to their website, they embrace“the hot jazz and swing styles of the ‘30s and ‘40s.”

Aug. 15: The Higbees will perform at 8 p.m. A two- or three-hour float on the river will depart at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., rental is $20 kayak or $36 canoe.

Dragon Wagon, a bluegrass/folk rock band from Ann Arbor, at one point was going to play the beer festival in Mt. Pleasant, which got canceled. “They describe themselves as bluegrass, folk rock, with a shot of Irish whiskey,” Busch said. “They are real fun.”

The Higbees, based in Cleveland, Ohio, currently have shows planned throughout the country.